Durant Withdraws from Team USA
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Stephen Dunn/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — Oklahoma City Thunder star forward Kevin Durant withdrew from Team USA, citing “physical and mental fatigue.”
Durant, who is the reigning NBA MVP, broke the news to Team USA managing director Jerry Colangelo and head coach Mike Krzyzewski Thursday.
“This was an extremely difficult decision as I take great pride in representing our country,” Durant said in a statement. “I know that I owe it to my USA Basketball teammates to be totally invested in the experience. After going through training camp with USAB, I realized I could not fulfill my responsibilities to the team from both a time and energy standpoint.
Durant continued, “I need to take a step back and take some time away, both mentally and physically in order to prepare for the upcoming NBA season. I will be rooting for USAB and look forward to future opportunities with them.”
Durant joins fellow forwards Kevin Love, Paul George, and LaMarcus Aldridge as players who will not play for the U.S. in the FIBA World Cup in Spain this summer.
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